TEACH YOUR DOG TO SURF: 
BEGINNER SURF DOG TRAINING TIPS AND VIDEO LESSONS YOU CAN DO AT HOME!

Scroll down to get started

When you're ready to get in the water, be sure to check out 
Helen Woodward Animal Center's Doggies Surf Clinics

Some dogs jump right on the board, the first time in the ocean!!  But there are others who jump off, and use the surfboard as a diving board!  Others are too distracted to focus on surfing, or others who just aren't sure about this new activity.  These tips can help those that might be having a hard time getting started, or who don't have much time to spend at the beach.  Most of these exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home!  They've been prepared as a training template, but you don't have to do each and every step if your dog doesn't need it.  We've just identified some of the problems that can arise, and have given you tips to fix them! 

These tips will take you to the point of surfing in the waves, and then you can contact one of the great organizations that give surf dog lessons in the ocean... Helen Woodward Animal Center's Doggies Surf Clicnics, Surf City Surf Dog, Grumpy Puppy Dog Training and Coronado Surfing Academy. 

Our philosophy of training is relationship based, meaning two way communication!  Relationship based training creates a very solid human-canine bond, and you'll have fun exploring your dog's mind when you listen to what he/she has to say!

If you're just having a problem with distractibility, these tips can help.  But, if your dog really doesn't want to surf, don't make them.

The main thing with relationship based training is... you'll be improving your human-canine bond while building confidence, and having fun sharing an activity both in and out of the water, or wherever your dog may lead you!  

The tips only take a few minutes a day, and most can be performed in the comfort of your own home!

These tips are perfect for those who...

• Are new to dog surfing, and want to build a foundation before hitting the waves. 
  
  
• Want to do some surf dog training at home, especially in the winter! 
  
  
• Have encountered "issues" such as jumping off the board, or distractibility. 
  
  
• Want to foster a stronger human/canine bond that easily transfers to the water. 
  
  
• Have limited time, and can't get to the beach regularly. 
  
  
• Want to add surfing to their training repertoire!
  

Ready?  Let's get started.  There are videos that go with each lesson, and appear as links under the title.  You can read the tips and watch the videos in whatever order you want, but they do go in succession.  But, the most important lesson is... HAVE FUN WITH YOUR DOG!!

  Introduction

"What type of surfboard to use, and introducing your dog to the board"

Click here for lesson one video

• The best surfboard for doggie surfers is a foam board, so we can grip it.  Costco sells Wavestorms for $99, or you can find a used foam board, like an INT on Craigslist.  Smaller dogs usually get 6 foot boards, and larger dogs go for 8 footers. 
  
  
• If you don't have a surfboard, but still want to work on these training tips, you can use other things, such as a towel, a piece of plywood, a boogie board, a rug, a beach mat... or anything that would be representative of being "on" something.  Plywood would probably work the best as you can have it cut to the approximate size of a surfboard.  You would want to add carpet to it though so the dog could grip it. 
  
  
• You can also contact surfboard companies, surf schools, etc to see if they have broken boards.  It wouldn't work in the water, but could be perfect for practicing at home. 
  
  
• One very important note... don't force your dog on the board.  You want them to offer the behavior, and learn to jump on by themselves.  This is especially helpful for big dogs that can be very heavy to lift once you get in the ocean.  Plus, if a dog is refusing to get on the board... maybe they really don't want to surf. 
  
  
• Bring your surfboard in the house, and feed your dog their meals on it.  This makes a positive association with the board.   
  
  
• You want your dog at the back of the board, so be sure to place his/her food bowl right in front of where you want them to be.  This will reinforce the correct position for the dog. 
  
  
• Dogs love belly rubs, and a surfboard is a great place to give them!  Again, you're making a positive association with the board.  Doing this also helps build the human-canine bond even more! 
  
  
• Don't leave the surfboard out when you're not training.  You want your dog to get excited when he/she sees the board.

Beginning board work 

"Teaching your dog to offer behaviors on the board"

Click here for lesson two video

• Some dogs can jump on a board in the ocean and surf the first time they try.  Others use the surf board as a diving board, and jump off when the board starts to move.  Others are a little freaked out by the movement of the board, and it takes them a little longer to get the hang of it.  Still others are just used to going to the beach to play ball, and aren't quite sure what this new game is all about. 
  
  
• When using treats, always treat the dog ON the board.  You want to reinforce the behavior of the dog being ON the board, not getting off the board. 
  
  
• Never force your dog onto the board, and pick him/her up to place on the board.  You want your dog to make the decision to get on the board by themselves. 
  
  
• Training is a good way to bond with your dog, as it increases the communication between the two of you... creating a solid relationship! 
  
  
• You can lure your dog onto the board at first, but quickly fade it.  You don't want him/her depending on the treat to get on the board. 
  
  
• You can have them do a hand touch where you put your hand palm out where you want the dog to be on the board.  Dogs are curious by nature, and will touch your hand with their nose to see what's up.  As they do, you can say "touch".   
  
  
• Treat them on the board, and then walk away.  They will most likely follow you.  Walk back toward the board to see if they'll get on.  If not, hold your hand out again, and say "touch".  Give treats while he/she is on the board. 
  
  
• Your dog will quickly get the idea that being on the board is how they get treats, and you can fade out the hand touch. 
  
  
• When they step onto the board you can say "yes", "good" or use a clicker to mark the behavior of getting on the board. 
  
  
• Your dog will also quickly understand that good things happen on the board because they've been getting fed their meals on it.  It won't take them long to know where to be! 
  
  
• Some dogs surf standing up, some lay down, and others sit.  It's all personal preference of your dog!

Intermediate board work 

"Teaching your dog to "stay" on the board"

Click here for lesson three video

• Once your dog is eager to get on the board, you can start introducing a "stay" or "wait" cue.  You want your dog to stay on the board even if you aren't near.  Because once you push your dog off into a wave, he/she's on their own.  You want them to stay on the board, not jump off and swim back to you.
    
  
• When your dog is doing well with the "stay" or "wait"... begin taking steps backwards so you put distance between yourself and the dog.  Walk back to the dog to treat on the board. 
  
  
• When your dog is comfortable and stays on the board when you step back a couple feet, build upon that until you're able to walk completely around the board.  At first you may only get a few steps, but as you progress you'll be able to run around the board while your dog stays on it! 
  
  
• Use a word to release your dog from being on the board, such as "release".  You want the dog to learn they should stay on the board until you give the release cue.  Using the release cue will let them know it's ok to get off the board.
• 
  
• Many dogs surf backwards because they're watching their owner/handlers who pushed them off.  If you want your dog to surf forward, be sure to work on the "stay" or "wait" while you're behind the dog.  The key is for him/her to continue facing forward even though you're behind them.   
  
  
• That said, some contests give more points for a dog who surfs backwards.  So, you don't have to do the exercise above!  I find it better to be able to surf both ways... impress those judges with your maneuvers!

Distractions while surfing 

What about the ball, the other dogs, the birds?

Click here for lesson four video

• Now that you've got a great "stay" or "wait", start introducing distractions.  There are a ton of distractions at the beach, and you don't want your dog to jump off the board to go after a ball, another dog, or dig in the sand!     
  
  
• Start out slowly.  Have your dog in a "stay or wait", and just show them a ball.  No movement... very low key.  At first you may only be able to do this for a few seconds.  The reward for staying is getting released to get the ball.  So, say "release", and let the dog get the ball. 
  
  
• As your dog progresses, toss the ball in the air, catching it in your hands.  Again, the reward is releasing them to play with the ball. 
  
  
• Once your dog is doing well with you throwing the ball in the air, you can begin bouncing it on the ground.  At first, start out with him/her staying for just a few seconds, and release to play.  Build upon those seconds until your dog can stay for minutes! 
  
  
•  Go slow with these exercises as well.  You want your dog to be successful, and these exercises can be hard for a ball motivated dog! 
  
  
• Next, you can start rolling the ball on the ground, but just a short distance.  Don't progress through each step until your dog is successful with the previous step. 
  
  
• It may take weeks to work on distractions... don't get discouraged!  You will always be working with distractions, so practice often. 
  
  
• You can build up the distractions to include movement around the board by kids, running, other dogs roaming around, you playing with another dog, etc.  You want to give big praise for the dog staying, and a big game of ball as a reward!

Building confidence on the board

"Getting your dog used to the movement on a surfboard"

Click here for lesson five video

• Now that your dog is excitedly getting on the board, positioning themselves in the right spot, staying in position no matter where you are, or what distractions there are... you can start making the board unsteady... trying to simulate how it'll be in the ocean.  You can use pillows or cushions under the board to make it un-even where the dog has to balance.   
  
  
• Some dogs may be apprehensive to the movement at first, so go very slowly with the exercises, especially if your dog hasn't had experience on un-even or un-steady surfaces. 
  
  
• Start out with having your dog step onto the board as you hold it secure by putting your foot on top of it to stabilize.  Give your dog treats as they're stepping onto the board, as this will re-direct their attention to the treats, and away from thinking about the movement of the board. 
  
  
• If your dog is nervous... just do it once to start out with, and build upon that.  As you continue working with your dog his/her confidence will increase. 
  
  
• Don't overwhelm your dog by going to fast with the exercises.  Go slow.  You are building your bond, and you don't want a bad experience to harm it.  If your dog has one bad experience (in his/her mind), he/she may never get on the board again.  Help your dog be successful... lots of treats and praise can help! 
  
  
• When you are releasing your dog from the un-steady board, put your foot on it again to stabilize it.  After he/she builds more confidence you won't have to do it anymore, but at the beginning don't take any chances of your dog getting scared. 
  
  
• Once your dog is more comfortable getting onto an un-stable board, you can begin moving the board very slightly as you give him/her treats and praise.  This is helping the dog build confidence on the board, and their bond with you will deepen as they feed off your confidence! 
  
  
• If you have enough people, you can lift the board while the dog is on it.  But, first start by lifting only a couple inches off the ground, and then slowly increase as your dog builds confidence. 
  
  
• Go slow with these exercises, and before you know it you'll be able to rock the board more, and your dog will be confident on it.   
  
  
• When you reach that level of confidence, you can put bigger pillows under the board to make it more un-stable.  When you do, treats and praise again.

Safety first!

"Getting your dog used to a life jacket"

Click here for lesson six video

• Now would be a good time to get your dog used to a life jacket.  Safety is very important when surfing, and a life jacket should always be worn.  If your dog has never worn one, putting it on the first time might feel funny.  So, practice putting the life jacket on.  Have plenty of treats to make it a positive association.  First without your surfboard.  Once your dog is comfortable with the lifejacket, you can have her/him get on the board wearing the life jacket. 
  
  
• When you first introduce the jacket to your dog, let him/her sniff it.  Don't put it on yet... just acquaint your dog with it while giving treats.  Make it a positive association. 
  
  
• As your dog is comfortable, you can drape the jacket over his/her body, giving treats as you do.  Don't buckle it yet. 
  
  
• If your dog doesn't seem bothered by the jacket, buckle the front as you give him/her treats.  Then  move on to the buckles on the body part of the jacket.  By giving treats as you do this, you're re-directing their attention, and creating a positive association with the jacket. 
  
  
• Some dogs may be afraid of the life jacket, or it may feel funny on their body if they've never worn anything against their coat.  So, you want to build their confidence, and giving treats will re-direct their attention. 
  
  
• To continue getting the dog used to the jacket you can put it on, and then feed their meals while they're wearing it. 
  
  
• Once your dog is comfortable wearing the life jacket, start feeding him on the board with it on.  You want him/her to get used to being on the surfboard with a life jacket. 
  
  
• Wiping out is part of dog surfing... just like human surfing!  Life jackets come in very handy to pull your dog back onto the board.   
  
  
• You can purchase a doggie life jacket at pet stores, boat stores, or online.  The main thing you want is a good fit for your dog.  Because you may be lifting your dog onto the board after a wipe out, having good support under their belly is important. 

Taking it to the pool

"Building confidence in the water"

Click here for lesson seven video

• When all is great on dry land, you can move it to a swimming pool.  Now, the picture has changed for the dog, so you should go back a few steps so the dog gets comfortable in the new environment. 
  
  
• Make sure your dog wears a life jacket... even in a pool. 
  
  
• Remember, you don't want to force your dog on the board, let him/her make the decision to get on. 
  
  
• You can start in a kiddie pool with a puppy or small dog.  Larger dogs you can start in a regular pool. 
  
  
• Hold the board steady when the dog initially gets on.  You can begin by luring the dog on the first couple times if necessary. 
  
  
• Stop luring after the first couple times, and use praise and treats as a reward to reinforce the behavior of getting on the board.  You can also use "touch" to help the dog understand what he/she should do. 
  
  
• If they fall off the board, make it positive too.  Give treats, have fun, praise in a happy voice... make it a happy experience. 
  
  
• Once the dog is ready, you can begin pushing the board around the pool while you hold on to the board. 
  
  
• Lightly rock the board, and give your dogs treats and praise to help build his/her confidence.  Go slow with this because it's new to your dog, and you want him/her to be successful.
  
  

• From there, you can push the dog off, so the board goes from one end of the pool to the other.  At the beginning, you may want to have a helper in the water to catch the board as it reaches the other side.  They can also reinforce your dog with treats and praise. 
  
  
• When your dog is comfortable in the pool, you can begin introducing distractions so he/she learns how to be on the board in water while other things are going on around him/her. 
  
  
• Don't do all the exercises at once.  Let your dog get used to one step before you progress to the next. 
  
  
• Help your dog be successful... your bond will continue to deepen!

Putting it all together

"Taking what you learned to a bay, lagoon, lake, etc"

Click here for lesson eight video

• After graduating from the pool, you should go to a calm water lake or bay.  Here in San Diego, Fiesta Island is a great place to start because you have small waves from the watercraft, and your dog can ride his first wave, and be SUCCESSFUL!!  You want your dog to succeed so he/she doesn't get discouraged.  And a lot of praise.  This is exciting! 
  
  
• There will be many distractions once you get to the beach, so really reinforce here!  Lots of praise, treats, release to play ball. 
  
  
• Put the board in shallow water at first, and give your dog lots of praise for staying on the board in this new environment. 
  
  
• Begin pushing the board in the water so your dog can experience what it's like to be in a large body of water on a surfboard! 
  
  
• Hold onto your dog, and let them know they're safe with  you.  The bond you've been building with all this training really comes into play now.  Your dog trusts that you'll keep him/her safe, and it's your job to ensure his/her safety! 
  
  
• Once your dog is comfortable with you pushing him/her in the water, take him/her out just a little ways, and push into a small wave.  Let them ride their first wave!!  Yipppeeee!!

SurFUR clicker training

"Teaching your dog the correct position on the board using a clicker"

Click here for lesson nine video

• If you clicker train, you can use the board like you do "go to mat". 
  
  
• With a puppy, you can click for hand touches as they step onto the board. 
  
  
• I was trained to get into the correct position through free shaping.

Always listen to your dog.  If they don't really want to surf, try something else.  If they like it, but only want to ride a couple waves, that's ok.  Don't force them to ride more.  It's all about improving your human-canine bond, and having fun!  Sometimes I surf a wave in, and then jump off the board and chase birds... just because mom wants me to have fun!  If  you have any questions, send an email to "pawinspired at aol dot com".  

These tips took you all the way to still water, but there's one more step left!!  And that's getting in the waves of the ocean and surfing!!  Paw-abunga!!  The organizations below will pick up where we left off, and help you perfect your surfing.  I've taken lessons from all of them, and I can vouch for their excellence!!  Take a lesson from them, and then enter one of the contests! It's so much fun... paw-abunga & see you in the water! And don't forget, the best surf dogs out there are the ones having the most fun!

Helen Woodward Animal Center's Surf Dog Surf A Thon Surf Clinics
They offer 50 minute classes starting at 10am, 11am, and 12pm at Del Mar Dog Beach in June, July and August in preparation for the surf dog surf a thon. 

Surf City Surf Dog
They offer free "learn to surf" clinics in the weeks before their surf dogs contest event

Coronado Surfing Academy
They offer surf lessons to doggies, and hold a special clinic for the golden surFURS.

Grumpy Puppy Dog Training

By Judy Fridono

Well, leashing your dog to the board isn’t a very safe solution. The leash can get wrapped around his throat or legs and an injury could result.  Never, never, never attach a leash to your dog's collar. If you must attach a leash, please secure it to his life jacket.

The best way to fix the jumping off behavior is through training. And it should be done at home BEFORE your first surf trip to the beach. This way, by the time you hit the water, your dog will have a solid foundation.

Some dogs take to surfing immediately. Some dogs don't want anything to do with water. It's our job to keep them safe while trying to figure out if surfing will be something they enjoy. Most people grab a board, grab their dog, and hit the waves. That's a lot to ask of a dog who has always played with his friends at the beach.

Now you're asking them to stop playing, forget the seagulls, ignore the balls & frisbees, put on this bulky life jacket, stand on this unsteady surface, get hit in the face with salt water, fall off the board into a washing machine, worry about their owner who hasn't come up from the swirling water, figure out how to get back on the board in the deepest water you've ever been in, stay in one spot at the back of the board, don't walk to the front of the board even if this activity is stressing you out, and if you do walk to the front, a leash gets attached to the board so you can't move, balance like you've never balanced before, gain confidence so you don't have to surf backwards while looking at your owner, don't fall off, and ride this wobbly thing all the way to the beach. But when you get to the shore, don't run after your friends because we need to do it again.

My philosophy is building a foundation through training at home so your dog isn't subjected to what I described above. This way, by the time you bring your dog to the beach, he will have been exposed to most everything he'll experience in surfing, and the transition will be much smoother. There is a much greater likelihood that you'll end up with a surFUR who enjoys surfing than a dog who is flooded with new requirements, confused, overwhelmed and stressed out.

Today's blog addresses how to tell if your dog doesn't want to surf, why your dog walks to the front of the board or jumps off. Instead of using the quick, in-effective and dangerous fix of leashing your dog to the board, these training tips will help you correct the problem or determine if your dog is exhibiting stress behavior that you haven't been aware of.

 How do you know if your dog doesn’t want to surf?

If your dog is jumping off the board, it’s a pretty good indication that he/she doesn’t want to surf!! Of course it could be lack of training too. Your dog is communicating with you all the time. Sometimes they make a loud statement, like Ricochet who plants herself on the sand when she’s done surfing. Other dogs may show more subtle signs of stress through their body language such as…

• Ears are back
• Lip licking
• Rigid body position
• Runs out of the water & doesn’t want to go back in
• Yawning
• Panting
• Tucked tail
• Avoidance
• Restlessness or pacing (walking to the front of the board)
• Dilated pupils
• Tight jaw
• Excessive blinking
• Looks for handler, or won’t’ take eyes off handler
• Furrowed brow
• Drooling
• Excessive barking
• Trembling
• Comfort seeking

Of course there are additional signs of stress, and just because a dog displays a certain behavior doesn’t mean it’s stress. For instance, Beans the surf dog is deaf, she keeps her eye on her handler all the time, as that is how they communicate. You know your dog best and you should evaluate his behavior to determine what exactly they are trying to tell you through their behavior.

Why is my dog walking to the front of the board?

Besides stress, the main reason a dog walks to the front of the board is because he hasn’t been taught the correct surfing position.

Before you have your dog jump on a surfboard for the first time in the ocean, at a clinic or whatever, you really should have already been doing foundation training at home. This will ensure your lesson goes smoothly and your dog has already experienced an unsteady surfboard BEFORE you put it in water. If you throw too many new things at a dog at one time they will be overwhelmed. The best way to teach a dog is in steps. Here are some things you can do to get your dog used to being in the right spot.

• Teach your dog to get on the board himself so you're not trying to lift a heavy dog in the waves
• Feed his meals on the board (put the surfboard away anytime you're not training)
• Give treats when he is in the right position
• Don't give treats when he's not in the right position
• Use the cue "touch" where the dog will touch your hand to get him in the right position
• Lure your dog onto the board with treats
  

This video shows a puppy learning how to get on the board, but it will work with an adult dog too.

If I don’t leash my dog to the board, he won’t stay on it, or he’ll jump off and run down the beach.

Then your dog isn’t ready to surf. And he’s especially not ready to surf in a contest. There really shouldn’t be a need to leash your dog to a surfboard if you’ve done the training.

Of course there may be other reasons  you feel you need to leash your dog. And they may outweigh the risk. But, if it’s because the dog will jump off, then you need to re-think this strategy.

If you’re leashing your dog to the board because you don’t want them jumping off the board when you reach shore, then you should teach your dog to wait for you (or someone) to get to the board before they are released & you tell them it’s ok to get off.

Conditions are never perfect, so there will be times when the dog has no choice, but to jump off the board as it gets to shore. In those cases, you will want to have helpers that can wrangle your dog. But, remember you need to expose your dog to what may happen at the beach BEFORE you get there. Such as people grabbing at their life jacket handle, picking them up awkwardly, running after them (you should never run after a dog as they will just continue running), and a host of other things that happen in the chaos of the surf.

The best thing to do is to teach your dog to look for YOU when he gets to the beach. This way he’s not running off, but scanning the crowd looking for you. You can call out his name, and he should run to you as soon as he sees you. Again, every dog is different, and every situation is different, so I’m not saying this will work in every situation. The key is training according to your personal circumstances with an emphasis on TRAINING!




My dog used to stand in the back of the board, but now he’s walking to the front,
why is that?

If this is happening after your dog surfed in rough conditions, it may be that he lost his confidence. Remember the adage “fight or flight”? Well, the dog is looking for a way to escape the board after a not so good experience in rough water.

Your dog may not want to surf in big waves, strong currents or bad conditions. That’s ok. Just stay in smaller waves when you surf. Always check the conditions before you set out, and know the beach you’ll be surfing. If it’s a beach that you don’t think your dog will like, don’t surf it. There’s no reason to turn a fun activity into something that causes your dog undue stress.

After your dog has a not so good experience, you may need to go back to the basics to help build his confidence again. If you’ve gone into rough water too soon, without building a foundation, your dog may never want to surf again. It’s up to you to be extremely honest with  yourself and listen to what your dog is telling you. Surfing may not be their thing. Please accept that, and don’t make your dog surf because YOU want to. Do something your dog enjoys instead.

If you have additional information to add to this blog, please leave a comment. And, if you need other surf dog tips for a training problem you're having, leave a comment too, so we can address it in a future blog post.

Surf's up!

Judy Fridono was a certified professional dog trainer who went on to get a degree in service dog training. She is the founder of Puppy Prodigies, a 501(c)3 non profit organization that uses relationship based training. This innovative program helps dogs achieve their full potential.

I'm not really competitive, but it's always fun to win a contest. But you know what's even better than winning? Donating your prize to the San Diego Humane Society! The 1st place prize was a $250 Unleashed by Petco gift card, and gift basket filled with $250 worth of merchandise.

2nd place for tandem was a $50 Unleashed by Petco gift card and Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. gift basket with $100 worth of food.  To me and Antonio, it wasn't just surfing... it was saving lives!!!!!!

During our tandem surf, we dressed as Miss Pig Doggie & Kermutt. We had two good rides, and then the current go the better of us, and we lost my wig & Kermutt's head!

I find that surfing with purpose is much more fulfilling. So, when I surfed in the contest yesterday, I was surfing in memory of Sonny Miller. He passed away a few days earlier at only 54 years old from a heart attack. He was the camera man during the ESPN filming. I also have a surf angel named Caleb that keeps me safe in the water.

My water helpers are incredibly kind hearted and giving. I think they love me as much as I love them. Dave is my main water handler. He's been surfing me for several years, and we know each other very well both in the water and out. His son Austin also helped yesterday, along with Ryan and John.

Thanks to all my virtual cheerleaders, there was so much positive energy in the water. I had a lot of fun, and I can't wait til next year.

Here are some videos and pics! Hope you enjoy them. More coming soon!

Ricochet takes to the waves to compete in the Unleashed by Petco Surf Dog Competition, previously known as the Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Contest.

She will be in the second, medium dog heat at 12:00pm, and then she'll be surfing in the tandem heat with Antonio from the K9 Kahuna's at 1:35pm. Ssssssh, we can't tell you what they're going to be dressed as, but they'll be in costumes so be sure to check them out!!

The contest benefits the San Diego Humane Society, which is near and dear to Ricochet's heart because she was a recipient of their Animal Compassion Award for an extraordinary human-animal bond and extending compassion to others in the community.

Ricochet typically places in the top three spots in surf dog contests, and won 1st place at this contest in 2012, and 2nd place with celebrity, Cameron Mathison in tandem.

Come be a (cheer)leader of the pack and cheer Ricochet on!! Hope to see you there!! Scroll down for schedule, directions and more.

Pro surfer, Taylor Knox is a judge this year. Ricochet had the honor of surfing with him in the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge several years ago. Paw-abunga!!

Competition schedule

• 11:00 am - Large Surf Dog Heat starts
• 11:45 am - Medium Surf Dog Heat starts
  
• 12:30 pm - Small Surf Dog Heat starts
  
• 1:15 pm - Tandem Heat starts
  
• 2:00 pm - Awards Ceremony

What? Your dog doesn't surf? That's ok, there's plenty of other activities for your doggies and kiddies!!


Other dog and family-friendly activities

• Sandcastle sculpting
• Chill zone
• Kid zone
• Beginners agility course
• Dog wash

• Dog adoptions
• Retailer booths
• Off-leash play area
• Beer garden
• Food trucks
  

Directions From 5 North or South
Exit Palm Ave.
Stay left as the road splits, continuing on Palm Avenue
Turn left on Seacoast Drive
Event is on the right next to the pier Parking You can either find street parking or park at the Mar Vista High School parking lot a few blocks away. There is no cost to park in the lot. Limited spots are available. A complimentary shuttle from the lot to the beach will run from 9 am to 3 pm.

Parking Address:
Mar Vista High School
505 Elm Ave
Imperial Beach, CA 91932

By Judy Fridono

Surf Dog Ricochet was invited to the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge surf dog competition on May 30th, 2014.

The Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge (PPPIDC) produced by Carson Events showcases everyday dogs in Olympic style competition. It’s by invite only, and features dogs from all backgrounds and breeds, competing in agility, disc, racing, diving and surfing events.

The PPPIDC holds a very special place in my heart, and to me, it’s much more than a competition. It was the catalyst that catapulted Ricochet into her life purpose as a SURFice dog®.

Back in June of 2009, I got a last minute call for Ricochet to compete in the first PPIDC surf dog competition. At that time, Ricochet had only been in the ocean surfing about three times. She was still quite a novice grom at 15 months old, but managed to win 3rd place in the large surfing dog category. In fact, she was only one point off from the 2nd place winner.  Not bad for her first try amongst the more experienced surf dogs.

The PPIDC invitation came at a pivotal time in her life. It occurred during a period of serious discussions about her future. It was already evident that she wasn't fulfilling the expectations as a service dog due to her interest in chasing critters... and I was disappointed in what she couldn't do, or become.  But, when she won third place that day, new thoughts of what she COULD do came to the forefront.  Several weeks later, I made the final decision about releasing her from the service dog role.  The idea of becoming a SURFice dog® was born that day on the beach during the contest. Talk about new (doggie) doors opening!!

This year, about 11 days prior to the contest, Ricochet ripped her dew claw for the 6th time. The doctor recommended removing them. I guess I didn’t really think about the timeframe, or just how intense the surgery would be, so I agreed. Unfortunately, she’s been having trouble with her right foot, and it’s not healing on schedule. It wasn’t looking good for her to compete, but I was holding out hope.

Then, it hit me. I could be bummed out about this untimely injury & surgery, or I could see it for what it really was. Pretty much everything on Ricochet’s journey has been synchronistic. I remembered the reason Ricochet got into the first PPIDC was because King, another golden retriever had surgery on his toe just before the contest, which created the opportunity for her.

Now, here she was with a toe injury of her own. The thought of us passing the torch to someone else… giving someone else the opportunity we were given 5 years ago… kept entering my mind. I don’t believe in coincidences, and the more I thought about it, the more I knew this happened for a reason. Ricochet has been in several PPPIDC contests since that first one. And this year was an extra special one because her book will be officially launched a couple days after the event. A book that would have never been written if we weren’t given the opportunity by Purina, Carson Events, and Bill and his dog King back then.

The message isn’t that Ricochet was supposed to surf in this contest to celebrate the book. The message is that we are supposed to gift the opportunity forward to celebrate the JOURNEY! It's a lesson in giving and pawing it forward!

So, rather than waiting to see if Ricochet is healed by Friday, I pulled her from the competition today. We are passing the torch to a new surf dog named Turbo from So Cal Surf Dogs. He is a rescue and a golden retriever too. And although he will be taking Ricochet’s place in the contest, we want it to be all about Turbo. We want his owners, Jenna & Gary to enjoy the excitement this opportunity brings without feeling bad that Ricochet is injured. Everything happens for a reason!

I am forever grateful to Purina Pro Plan and Carson Events for recognizing Ricochet over the years. Maybe next year she can come back, but for now, we are content knowing there is something bigger happening than just being laid up from a surgery. It’s the universe’s way of leading us further on her journey and purpose.

Thank you Jenna and Gary for agreeing to let Turbo surf at PPPIDC this year. Thanks to Purina Pro Plan, Carson Events, Bill and King. And thanks to everyone who has supported Ricochet in all she does as a hero dog, therapy dog, surf dog and most importantly, SURFice dog.

We will be rooting for Turbo and hope you will too! The event will be live streamed at http://www.proplan.com/incredible-dog-challenge-2014/

Go Turbo!

You can read more about the PPPIDC and how it influenced Ricochet's life in her new book available June 3rd!